Sport

Hughton has no fears over Bunn

Norwich manager Chris Hughton has "no fears" about Mark Bunn proving himself an able deputy for John Ruddy should the England goalkeeper fail to recover for tonight's Barclays Premier League clash at Saints.

Ruddy has conceded just two goals in his last six appearances as the Canaries recovered from an appalling start to the season.

However, the 26-year-old hobbled out during the closing stages at Everton on Saturday, where a last-minute equaliser from Sebastien Bassong extended Norwich's unbeaten run to seven matches.

Should Ruddy not recover from his thigh problem, then Bunn, signed from Blackburn in August, will be set for his first Barclays Premier League start since January.

Hughton, though, has every confidence in the 28-year-old, who saved a crucial last-gasp penalty from Clint Dempsey as Norwich knocked Tottenham out of the Capital One Cup last month.

"Mark is a good goalkeeper, and if it is a case that he comes in for whatever period of time, then we have no fears about that," Hughton said.

"When we brought him in originally that was the exact reason, because of his experience.

"Whether John plays really depends on the scan. He is reasonably sore at the moment. We certainly wouldn't want to rule anything out until we know for definite. There is a doubt, but we haven't given up any hope."

The Saints have also found form in recent weeks, beating Newcastle to record a second successive victory which lifted them out of the bottom three and to within four points of Norwich, who are 13th.

Hughton knows his men will need to raise their game again to get another positive result.

"Southampton are a team playing well at the moment, they are at home, and we will need to give a good account of ourselves to get something," Hughton added.